By Santorio, Inspired by Dr. Joseph Pizzorno (PMC11441581)
Dr. Joseph Pizzorno’s research reveals how standard lab tests may detect toxic burden from environmental plastics and pollutants—insights Santorio’s AI platform turns into personalized action.
You Might Be Carrying Plastic—And Your Lab Results Could Be the First Clue
It’s no longer a question of if we’re exposed to microplastics and nanoplastics—it’s a question of how much and how early their effects can be detected.
At Santorio, we believe that your body has a voice—and often, it’s speaking through subtle markers in your blood. Our AI health platform helps decode these signs by integrating functional medicine insights with traditional lab results, turning “within normal range” into a more meaningful window into your wellness.
A recent study published in PubMed Central (PMC11441581) suggests that conventional lab tests—like CBCs, liver enzymes, and inflammatory markers—can indicate toxic burden from pollutants such as PCBs, PFOA, PFOS, and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), many of which are directly related to plastic exposure. This means your bloodwork may already be reflecting the impact of environmental toxins—if you know how to interpret it.
Spotlight on Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
Dr. Joseph Pizzorno is a pioneer in naturopathic and functional medicine, and a passionate advocate for the integration of environmental health into chronic disease prevention. As the founding president of Bastyr University, he’s spent decades translating research into practical strategies for clinicians and patients alike.
His findings form the foundation of Santorio’s personalized wellness framework—especially when it comes to recognizing the hidden metabolic impacts of modern chemical exposures, including plastics.
What the Research Shows: Plastics Leave a Signature in Your Labs
The study outlines how microplastics and related chemical pollutants correlate with key health markers—even when lab values fall within “normal” limits.
Key Findings:
- PCBs and OCPs (found in plastics and pesticides) are linked to lower white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts, which may signal suppressed immunity.
- Toxic metals and POPs increase GGTP and ALT, indicating liver stress before liver disease shows up clinically.
- PCB exposure raises LDL cholesterol and worsens blood sugar regulation—suggesting links between plastic exposure and metabolic disorders like diabetes.
- Uric acid and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)—markers of oxidative stress and DNA damage—increase with exposure to mercury, PFOA, and PFOS (common byproducts of plastic manufacturing).
These findings confirm what functional medicine has suspected for years: your environment is encoded in your biology—and your labs are the map.
How Santorio Applies These Insights in Personalized Health
At Santorio, we use these markers not as endpoints, but as entry points into deeper health optimization. Our platform doesn’t wait for disease—it reads the signals your body is already sending and recommends science-based steps to support detoxification and resilience.
1. Smarter Lab Interpretation
Our AI reviews conventional test results like GGT, ALT, CBC, uric acid, and 8-OHdG in context—flagging subtle patterns linked to microplastic-related toxic burden.
2. Exposure Risk Mapping
We assess inputs like dietary habits, water source, location, and consumer product usage to estimate your likely exposure to plastics and plastic-derived chemicals.
3. Tailored Wellness Protocols
Based on your profile, we generate individualized recommendations—ranging from dietary fiber for binding plastics, to N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for oxidative stress, to air and water filtration strategies that reduce ongoing exposure.
4. Tracking Over Time
Through our dashboard, users can log symptoms, monitor lab trends, and visualize how small interventions impact big-picture health.
5 Practical Tips to Reduce Microplastic Load and Support Your Detox System
Even small, daily actions can help your body eliminate what it doesn’t need.
- Switch to glass or stainless steel
Ditch plastic bottles, especially in heat. BPA and phthalates leach faster when warmed. - Reduce fragrance and soft plastics
Many household products (air fresheners, vinyl, shower curtains) release phthalates and microplastic particles into your air and skin. - Support your liver with cruciferous vegetables
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage help enhance phase II detoxification. - Ask your provider about testing for GGT and 8-OHdG
These markers can give early clues about liver stress and oxidative burden linked to plastic-related toxins. - Add more fiber
Soluble fiber from oats, chia seeds, and legumes helps trap and excrete toxins before they reach your bloodstream.
The Takeaway: Microplastic Exposure Is Real—But So Are the Tools to Fight It
Dr. Pizzorno’s research reminds us that environmental exposure is now a daily reality—but one we can manage with data, awareness, and smart choices.
At Santorio, we’re proud to turn that science into action. By decoding your labs and offering personalized recommendations, we make proactive wellness not just possible—but empowering.
Curious What Your Labs Might Reveal?
- Explore Your Lab-Based Detox Report with Santorio
- See How Our AI Platform Supports Functional Wellness
- Start Reducing Plastic Exposure Today
